Monday, December 26, 2011 - Tuesday, December 27, 2011

American Horror Story Season 1- The first season, completed in a 24 hour period. Saw the first 4 one night, and spent the next day finishing the 12 episode season. Yes. This is an accomplishment. A perfectly fine day wasted on some mindless television. Worth it. Sure, the show essentially is horror cliches molded in a 'Dark Shadows' formula with not so unique ideas, then pop in all the sexual and violent nature that Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk brought to 'Nip/Tuck' (Not 'Glee', silly!) and there was season one of 'AHS'. While the show didn't hook me from the pilot episode, I was hooked by the series' best episode 4 and 5 'Halloween, Part 1 and 2'. If you don't enjoy the show at that point, I would give you free range to quit watching.


The performances where all quite good, with the most notable ones being from Jessica Lange (the crafty and nefarious neighbor),


Kate Mara (the crazed ex-lover),

-She's usually so much hotter.

Evan Peters (the psychopath boyfriend)… I'm noticing that the most memorable performances came from the show's villains.

- I saw never back down, and lets just say, this is different.

Not to say that it isn't nice seeing Dylan McDermott again (since I haven't seen him in anything since Bobby Donnell in 'The Practice'),


or Denis O'Hare (who is slowly winning me over in the unknown character actor category with his performances on this and 'True Blood' as Russell Edgington),


or how about the edgy and emotional performance by Taissa Farmiga (this is the first most, including myself have seen of her, and I can tell she has talent),


and Connie Britton (I haven't watched 'Friday Night Lights', I know that's her claim to fame, but I have been meaning to and will certainly get to it faster now).


Jeez, all the performances were great so I want to just go over them all. How about the altered perception thing they did with Frances Conroy/ Alexandra Breckenridge (hot or not?). Either way it was effective and shocking.



But I'll stop now.

On the note that the series will be continuing season 2 with a different story completely, I'm actually glad. Not that this story was bad… just completed. It ended. I don't need to watch some of supposed "To Be Continued…" type stories they set up. Those sound boring to me. I think the season ended fantastically, going from it's typical overbearing soap opera drama, to a lighter tone with a slight homage to the movie 'Beetlejuice'. If you watch the season, which you should in my opinion, you will know what I mean. No, it's not the greatest thing on television. No, it's not unique. But yes, it is consistently interesting.



- Jeff Bassin

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work- One of the better expose documentaries I've seen, which is the reason I've watched it for the second time. Rivers is more than just marvelous comedienne (I didn't realize that is what you call female comedians until I saw this film). She's a tragic figure, a workaholic, a constant genius, and a real interesting person. You could learn a thing or two from this woman and her life.



Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010 Remake)- Interesting fairy tale horror film that spooked me quite a bit, but would have instilled great fear in me if I were younger. This is a creepy film. First time feature director Troy Nixey is an expert at mood, especially with his experience on his short film 'Latchkey's Lament' (which I also enjoyed when I saw it a bit ago) and with the help of the academy award nominated writer/director Guillermo del Toro as Producer. Nixey also has an eye for good visual art, clearly from his experience as a comic book artist. While the performances were nothing to special, Bailee Madison (the child in the film) is fairly believable and it's nice to see Katie Holmes doing work again (I still sigh when I watch her missing from 'The Dark Knight'). Certainly good for a nice scare, even if it's not perfect.



- Jeff Bassin

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Lucky- As much of a chance I wanted to give to Gil Cates Jr.'s off handed SXSW comedy, 'Lucky' really just isn't all that funny. Colin Hanks' performance seems remarkably offhanded, but I don't know if I want to blame him or the writers. I can't tell if I should pity him or fear him, since he is a goes from awkward quiet type to confident 'Dexter' type in only a few minutes time. With Ari Graynor, his romantic interest, she put on a nice performance, both a little zany and vulnerable. But honestly, none of the characters were really likable, which kind of puts a halt on a romantic comedy. How could you want Hanks and Graynor to end up together if they are both terrible people? It was not a waste of time, but I don't think I enjoyed it.



Rise of the Planet of the Apes- Like the first time I saw this film, I enjoyed it.



- Jeff Bassin

Friday, December 23, 2011

Abduction- Would be really silly, popcorn fun, though it's not very fun. I knew what I was getting into. Sure, Taylor Lautner has some stuntman skills, but in the end, the story wears everything else down. Maybe not even the story, The script is to blame. The dialogue is phony. When the lead characters point out that "wasn't this an interesting first date?" "definitely", I sigh. It points out the fact that this film is just as much of a plot as I thought it was. Taylor Lautner shirtless. Check. Taylor Lautner mackin' on the ladies (just Lily Collins, but you know what I mean). Check. And Taylor Lautner basically being better than anyone else in the film (except for the Dad character but he's never seen so he's not so much a bad@$$. Oh Well. I guess it was enjoyable, sort of. But not really. I wish it went to darker places, or created more three dimensional characters, or did anything interesting besides just exist. Director John Singleton has done interesting work, and Lautner clearly has the potential to be an action star (he clearly does a lot of his own stunts and is a talented martial artist i.e. 'The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D', and they look quite good too) but the script leaves wasted space for the both of them.



- Jeff Bassin

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Shark Night- Shlocky fun like 'Piranha 3D', but without the gore to back it up. None of the acting was great, the sharks looked fake, and the PG-13 rating really limited it. It's a bad movie and you know it, but somehow I didn't stop watching. Katharine McPhee is beautiful though. If it helps.



- Jeff Bassin

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bag of Bones- Not amazing, but definitely entertaining. The performances were nothing too special, but the story was intriguing, and thoroughly chilling. Mick Garris (director of 'Hocus Pocus' and creator of 'Masters of Horror' and 'Fear Itself') gives the film a nice look, and provides interesting enough story for its 3 hour duration. The script isn't perfectly paced, especially in terms of taking a steady half of the first part to even get Pierce Brosnan's Mike Noonan to the lake house. Give it a chance if you have the time. From the outside perspective of a person who has not read the King novel, I was fairly surprised by its outcome.



Early Californication: Season 5 Premiere- What was once a show I looked forward to, I now want to push back and save it for later. Sadly, with the main story arc of Hank's unfortunate misunderstood crime now completed, the show no longer has any room to grow. The show ended last season. It's a shame the show will most likely end in 'The Office' category of zombie television shows (they just won't die!!!!).



- Jeff Bassin

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

TV Finales and Premieres

Allen Gregory Finale- I don't think there will be a season 2, so lets just call it a mini series to make it sound like that was all part of their plan. I agree this show is bitter hearted and clearly isn't the kind of show to last generations and become a cultural phenomenon like 'The Simpsons', but honestly, I'm sad to see it go. Why? Not because it's hilarious (though it really does have its moments), but because I really am not looking forward to the new 'Napoleon Dynamite' animated series as a replacement.



Dexter: Season 6 Finale- By now, I find it are to believe the show can last more than 2 more seasons in the annoying holes it has dug itself into. As much as I enjoyed Mos Def's performance in this season of 'Dexter', this has by far ranked itself just above third season's pointlessness in story arc. Dexter didn't even really serve to much justice with his dark passenger this season. With the exception of some weird incesty stuff and the final scene, this season was completely predictable and forgettable, which is a real shame.



Misfits: Season 3 Finale- Like I said, it has got to be one of the best shows on television right now from my preference. It has enough comedy to create beautiful characters, but it still finds enough ground to create some thoroughly touching moments. Despite in some ways going exactly where a viewer thought it would eventually go with some of the characters, the moments were effective and has not diminished my enjoyment of the program one bit. Even though two important characters have departed the show, with the recent success Howard Overman has had in my opinion with the character of Rudy, I still believe the show has the ability to get back to it's roots.



Early Shameless: Season 2 Premiere- I enjoyed the new season opener in the American adaptation of the UK series, and even though it isn't the most exciting or even controversial thing on television, it definitely has it. It's not laugh out loud funny, but keeps that comedic realism tone that the UK is so known for. Certainly worth checking out if you have an open mind.



- Jeff Bassin